Stay up to date on economic development news, announcements, and community milestones in Graves County. Browse recent articles below or explore by category to find the topics most relevant to you.
A new video spotlights local employers like Dairyman's Supply Co. and the Graves County Health Department, showing how their partnership with GCED's Power in Partnership and Community Connections programs connects ATC students to real career opportunities.
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GCED has received a $20,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support workforce development and business growth efforts across Graves County.
GCED has launched a newly redesigned website, gravescountyed.com, giving prospects and community members easier access to property listings, workforce data, demographic information, and other economic development resources. President Jason Lemle called it a major step forward for showcasing the community.
GCED marked its Skybox Partners Luncheon with a $2 million KPDI grant announcement, a review of the year's project highlights, and plans for new spec buildings, housing, and infrastructure across Graves County.
GCED's Plant Manager's Roundtable featured WKCTC Workforce Solutions director Ashley Burns, who outlined customized training programs already underway in Graves County — including employer-funded courses at Premier Candle and a welding program at the Graves County Jail. Premier Candle's HR Manager Wade Dinkins, initially skeptical, called the program flexible and highly specific to his company's needs.
Graves County Economic Development welcomed 110 guests to its annual Skybox Partners Celebration, recognizing the businesses and organizations whose financial contributions support GCED's ongoing mission to attract investment and create jobs in Mayfield and Graves County.
The Graves County Fiscal Court published a Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds related to HUD Community Project Funding for improvements at the Hickory Industrial Park.
Graves County Economic Development has been awarded a Tennessee Valley Authority Workforce Invest Grant to support expanded training and education efforts, helping students in Graves County develop the skills needed by local business and industry.
West Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation has donated $15,000 to Graves County Economic Development to support its recruiting and marketing efforts aimed at retaining and attracting quality manufacturing and service industries to Graves County.
Graves County Economic Development has received a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support its mission of retaining and expanding local businesses, attracting new industry, and building innovative workforce and education programs in Graves County.
Graves County Economic Development has received a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation to support economic and workforce development activities in Mayfield and Graves County, furthering the organization's mission to promote quality of life in the region.
GCED marked its Skybox Partners Luncheon with a $2 million KPDI grant announcement, a review of the year's project highlights, and plans for new spec buildings, housing, and infrastructure across Graves County.
On National Ag Day 2026, Graves County Economic Development celebrates the outsized role of agriculture in the local economy, noting that the county's farms cover more than a quarter-million acres and generate approximately half a billion dollars in annual revenue.
The Hickory Industrial Park expansion is making significant progress, with a 500,000-square-foot pre-graded pad, a new connector road, and a sewer lift station completed, as the next phase prepares to extend water, gas, electric, and fiber services along Hickory Road.
At its annual Targeted Business & Industry Awards dinner, Graves County Economic Development recognized 15 companies for investments totaling more than $26 million and the addition of 132 new jobs and 70 contract positions in Mayfield and Graves County.
Graves County Economic Development, with support from the Tennessee Valley Authority, released a new video promoting the Hickory Industrial Park's latest $3.5 million expansion — a pre-graded, build-ready site with direct highway access just four miles from I-69.
At the 2025 Skybox Partners Luncheon, Graves County Economic Development reported a strong fiscal year highlighted by 50 new acres added to the Hickory Industrial Park, a new spec building, a completed makerspace, and 77 new jobs added to existing businesses.
GCED has launched a newly redesigned website, gravescountyed.com, giving prospects and community members easier access to property listings, workforce data, demographic information, and other economic development resources. President Jason Lemle called it a major step forward for showcasing the community.
The April Plant Manager's Roundtable featured presentations from the Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce and Graves County Health Department, highlighting their services and partnerships with local business and industry.
Graves County Economic Development traveled to Frankfort for West Kentucky Thank You Night, meeting with state leaders and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development to advocate for continued investment and opportunity in Mayfield and Graves County.
GCED President Jason Lemle attended the Kentucky Supreme Court session honoring retired Justice John William "Bill" Graves, whose official portrait — painted by Mayfield artist Fred Biggs — was permanently dedicated among former justices of Kentucky's highest court.
The MakeMyMove remote worker relocation program has brought a total of four new full-time residents to Mayfield and Graves County since its launch, with community partners continuing to offer support and incentives to attract remote workers to the area.
American Legion Post 26 and Disabled American Veterans Post 106 presented donations to GCED to cover meals for Graves County High School JROTC students during an upcoming Community Connections field trip to Fort Campbell, supporting student career exploration.
Governor Andy Beshear joined local leaders for the groundbreaking of State38 LLC, Kentucky's first medical cannabis safety compliance facility, a $1 million investment in Graves County expected to create approximately a dozen full-time jobs.
Graves County Economic Development sponsored a Mayfield/Graves County Chamber of Commerce breakfast featuring a panel of regional utility representatives who discussed the critical role of utility infrastructure and collaboration in supporting local economic development.
HVAC Distributing LLC is investing more than $5.3 million to expand its Hickory Industrial Park facility by 22,000 square feet, adding a showroom, marketing studio, customer service center, and training facility, with plans to hire approximately 40 additional employees.
Kentucky Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development Jeff Noel addressed Graves County Economic Development's Skybox Partners Luncheon, congratulating GCED on its accomplishments and emphasizing the central role of leadership in successful economic development.
Graves County Economic Development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Osmundson Manufacturing Company at the Hickory Industrial Park, welcoming Governor Andy Beshear and state and local officials to mark the start of the Iowa company's first out-of-state expansion.
Graves County Economic Development joined Universal Compressor Solutions for a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the company's expansion, which includes an 8,000-square-foot addition and new CNC machinery at its Mayfield facility.
At the February Plant Managers Roundtable, local business leaders heard from workforce board representatives about wage reimbursement for new hires and from DEVsource Technology Solutions about practical applications of artificial intelligence in business operations.
At the December Plant Managers Roundtable, Kentucky legislators previewed the 2026 state legislative session and sought business leader input on workforce issues, while employment professionals offered guidance on managing contract employees.
At the June Plant Managers Roundtable, the Mayfield Police Department and Graves County Sheriff's Office briefed local business leaders on workplace violence statistics and prevention strategies, followed by details on a regional transportation survey.
At the April Plant Managers Roundtable, Graves County business leaders received an update on the state and federal legislative session from State Representative Kim Holloway and field representatives from the offices of Sen. Mitch McConnell and Congressman James Comer.
At the February Plant Managers Roundtable, local business leaders received updates from Graves County Commissioner Tyler Goodman on county projects, heard from the Chamber of Commerce, and learned about a new public-private housing initiative.
GCED and the Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center announce a new Power in Partnership video showcasing how the program connects ATC students with local career opportunities and supports workforce development for Graves County business and industry.
Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative brought live electrical safety demonstrations to ATC students on April 2 as part of the Power in Partnership program, illustrating the dangers of electrical contact and introducing students to career paths in the electrical industry.
Graves County High School JROTC cadets visited Fort Campbell through the Community Connections program, gaining firsthand exposure to military career opportunities, specialized units, and the wide range of roles that make up one of the nation's premier military installations.
The Community Connections program recently organized a field trip for local high school students interested in architecture and real estate, with visits to Riley Architect Services, Barger Realty, and Trifecta Real Estate to explore career paths in design and property.
Graves County Economic Development and the ATC coordinated a field trip for advanced welding students to explore career opportunities in rail and river transportation, responding to projections that the industry will need 330,000 new welding professionals in the next two years.
Power Truss Vice President Brad Power visited ATC carpentry students through the Power in Partnership program to demonstrate how digital design technology integrates with truss manufacturing, offering students a look at modern construction careers in Graves County.
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